Nephise: Ascension

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Nephise: Ascension is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Tonguç Bodur and was released on February 27, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Nephise: Ascension is the third game in the Nephise series, following the story of a young orb collector lost in Dragons Valley. This first-person "walking simulator" offers extensive exploration, light puzzle and platforming elements, and professional voice narration. The game features a variety of locations with different lighting and weather, providing an immersive and relaxing experience that lasts an hour or more. No prior knowledge of the earlier games is necessary to enjoy this standalone tale.

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Single-Player

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 99 reviews

story13 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Beautiful graphics and immersive environments that enhance the walking simulator experience.
Engaging music and sound design that complements the serene atmosphere of the game.
More gameplay elements, including light platforming and puzzles, make this installment feel more complete than its predecessors.

The game is very short, often completed in under two hours, which may leave players wanting more.
The character design and some gameplay mechanics, such as platforming, are criticized for being poorly executed and detracting from the overall experience.
The story lacks depth and coherence, with many players feeling confused about objectives and the narrative progression.

story
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
69%
6%
The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the more developed narrative and backstory of the protagonist, Nephise, while others criticize it as a rehash of previous installments lacking depth and engagement. Although the game attempts to weave a cohesive tale, many feel it falls short, often feeling disconnected from gameplay and failing to provide meaningful stakes or conflict. Overall, while the visuals and music are praised, the story is seen as simplistic and not particularly compelling, leaving players wanting more substance.
- “The game feels more advanced than its predecessor in all regards: the storyline is more developed, graphics use fewer objects yet at the same time they manage to look fantastic, and music is again excellent.”
- “Nephise is a short and simple introduction to the story, Nephise Begins is the next installment very much like the first, and Nephise: Ascension has more story, puzzles, and zones... and a fun ending!”
- “Good storyline and the music is soothing.”
- “The plot itself felt like a simple rehash of the same Nephise storyline from the previous two games; she’s still a mystery, and there’s no real explanation about why the orbs give her powers or what they actually are.”
- “There's no real story here and thankfully very little of the pseudo-philosophical babble that this developer is known for.”
- “There is nothing rewarding in the aimless wandering--no story elements, no artifacts, literally nothing.”
music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
21%
9%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its calming and engaging qualities. However, some players experienced issues with repetitive tracks and occasional cutouts during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “The game feels more advanced than its predecessor in all regards: storyline is more developed, graphics use fewer objects yet at the same time they manage to look fantastic, and music is again excellent.”
- “Like most of the games in the franchise, Ascension is a very beautiful game, with mesmerizing music and a pretty story.”
- “The wonderful music is creating a great atmosphere.”
- “The music was also very repetitive.”
- “The musical themes are 'renaissance' style, varied with chapter, but within each chapter rather monotonous.”
- “The first chapter music is way too repetitive.”
graphics
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
32%
11%
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful visuals and immersive aesthetics, while others noted inconsistencies in character design and realism. Many appreciated the artistic direction and lighting, though some felt that certain elements, like character proportions, detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are generally considered a strong point, especially for an indie title, but there are areas for improvement.
- “The game feels more advanced than its predecessor in all regards: storyline is more developed, graphics use fewer objects yet at the same time they manage to look fantastic, and music is again excellent.”
- “Nephise Ascension is a huge credit to the entire series, 1+ hours to beat, beautiful graphics, fun gameplay, easy puzzles, fine music, it’s a good game to recommend.”
- “The music doesn't wear out its welcome and the graphics are beautiful as always (with proper credit given as always to the makers of the prefab elements used).”
- “Somehow the graphics in this one are worse than the first two.”
- “The developer responded right away and told me to lower my display and graphic setting.”
- “I played the first two games in the series, and while they were boring, I finished them for the graphics.”
gameplay
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
68%
12%
The gameplay in "Nephise: Ascension" is noted for being an improvement over previous titles, incorporating more mechanics such as light platforming, puzzles, and exploration, though it remains largely linear and straightforward. While some players appreciate the added depth and atmosphere, others find the character design and overall execution underwhelming, with criticisms aimed at the lack of engaging storytelling and depth. Overall, the game offers a casual experience with a mix of walking simulator and action-adventure elements, appealing primarily to those seeking light entertainment.
- “This time it incorporates some more gameplay mechanics and even an interesting story.”
- “Nephise: Ascension is a huge credit to the entire series, 1+ hours to beat, beautiful graphics, fun gameplay, easy puzzles, it’s a good game to recommend.”
- “As compared to Tonguç Bodur's other games, Nephise: Ascension steps up the gameplay a notch by adding several platforming/puzzle bits that also come with the challenge of obtaining the speedrun achievements tied to them.”
- “Overall, really good for only paying $1.49; however, I felt like the gameplay was a little bit underwhelming.”
- “The gameplay is actually very linear in most parts—stray from the expected path and you are just met with dead-ends and confusion.”
- “Nevertheless, the 'walking simulator' gameplay of Ascension is effectively flat, because it lacks intriguing storytelling, inner and deep meanings, and metaphors.”
atmosphere
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
7%
13%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning visuals, relaxing ambiance, and engaging music, creating an immersive experience for players. While it primarily functions as a walking simulator with puzzles and light platforming, some elements, such as physics and certain gameplay challenges, detract from the overall atmospheric quality. Overall, players appreciate the peaceful exploration and the enchanting environments that enhance the game's thematic depth.
- “This is a stunning walking simulator with a relaxing atmosphere and stunning views.”
- “Great game, especially just for atmosphere and peaceful exploring.”
- “Outside of these temples, you'll find yourself transported in a valley full of flowers and abundant fauna, with weather effects deepening the atmosphere.”
- “Gameplay is still similar, a walking simulator with a strong point in atmosphere that focuses on puzzles and exploration, but there are new elements such as light platforming and some dangerous enemies.”
- “Outside of these temples, you'll find yourself transported to a valley full of flowers and abundant fauna, with weather effects deepening the atmosphere.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional experience of the game to be deeply engaging, as it combines exploration with a poignant narrative that guides them through vast levels. The blend of gameplay elements, such as platforming and puzzle-solving, enhances the emotional weight of the story, making the journey feel both challenging and meaningful. Overall, the game successfully evokes a sense of connection and investment in its narrative.
- “It made me feel that I'm exploring blindly, with the only guidance being the small bit of narration. I had to rely on my memory and wits to find my objectives in the vast levels.”
- “Again, translating this touching story was a pleasure for me.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has limited replayability, with users indicating that it does not offer enough incentive or variety to warrant multiple playthroughs.
- “Not much of a replayable experience.”
- “The game lacks incentives to play through again.”
- “Once you finish it, there's little reason to return.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of this game to be tedious, particularly due to excessive wandering in catacombs that seem to serve only to extend gameplay duration without adding meaningful content.
- “I do enjoy walking simulators and have played quite a few from this developer, but this one felt noticeably more tedious.”
- “Parts of it involve a lot of tedious wandering in catacombs that serve no other purpose than to pad out the game time.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have reported experiencing issues with game performance, often struggling to achieve smooth gameplay and seeking advice on optimal settings to improve their experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nephise: Ascension is a casual simulation game.

Nephise: Ascension is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

Nephise: Ascension was released on February 27, 2018.

Nephise: Ascension was developed by Tonguç Bodur.

Nephise: Ascension has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

Nephise: Ascension is a single player game.

Similar games include Nephise Begins, Omno, Aporia: Beyond The Valley, Seasons After Fall, Spirit of the North and others.

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